Wire bending machine



Nov. 22, 1949 F. J. HORTON Re. 23,169

WIRE BENDING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR ORNE Vs,

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NOV. 22, 1949 HORTON Re. 23,169

WIRE SENDING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 a4 1 [HI 6 r pl MM IN VENTOR 6:9 725,04 fl -e ATTORNEK Nov. 22, 1949 F. J. HORTON WIRE SENDING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR A TTORNEJG.

Reiuued Nov. 22, 1949 OFFICE WIRE BENDING MACHINE Frank J. Horton, Decker, Mich., assignor to No Sag Spring Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation oi Michigan Original No. 2,160,020, dated May 30, 1939, Serial No. 186,015, January 21, 1938.

Application for reissue March 31, 1949, Serial No. 84,499

24 Claims.

My invention relates to spring forming machines and particularly to a machine for forming sinuous spring elements from wires, cutting the springs to predetermined lengths, forming the ends to desired shape, and stressing the spring to provide a set therein on an arc of predetermined radius.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 35,705, filed August 12, 1935, and issued January 30, 1940, as Patents Nos. 2,189,406 and 2,188,407, I illustrated a unit machine 1 or bending wire into sinuous form, setting the spring on a small arc and cutting the resulting spring elements into predetermined lengths. The machine, while operating in a very satisfactory manner, is limited in its speed of operation. The device embodying the invention of the present application, while forming a spring in the same manner as the structure of the abovementioned copending application, is capable of materially greater speed of production and has the additional feature of performing the ends of the spring sections at the time of separation.

The machine, in general, embodies a plurality of cam arms carried about spaced centers and arranged to move alternately across the path of the wire to bend it first in one direction and then in the other to form the wire into sinuous shape. The sinuous spring strip thus formed is fed through rollers to provide a set thereto on a predetermined small radius. The strip is then fed through a cutting device, which severs the strip into predetermined lengths and at the same time forms the end of the severed elements to a desired shape. Spring strips of predetermined length are provided, having the ends predeterminedly formed to be locked to securing elements which retain the strips on an arc of greater radius than the radius of the are on which the strip is initially set.

Accordingly the main objects of my invention are: to provide a wire forming machine which continuously bends wire into sinuous form, provides an inherent set therein on an arc of small radius, cuts the formed wire into predetermined lengths, and forms the ends of the lengths into predetermined shape; to provide spaced arbors with a plurality of cam operated arms which alternately engage and bend a wire in opposite direction as it passes therebetween; to rotate a plurality of arms about spaced centers and operate the arms by means of cams to alternately pass across the path of a wire to be formed into a sinuous spring; to provide a plurality of rolls operating in synchronism with the forming elements to stress the sinuous spring material when providing a set therein on a. small arc; to feed the strip of material through a cutting head which may be adjusted to sever the strip to any desired length; to have bending means associated with the cutting dies to form the ends of the wire so as to be retained by a clip: to synchronize the devices of the machine for forming, setting, shearing and end bending to permit the wire to be fed in one end of the machine and removed as spring elements from the other end thereof; and, in general, to provide a machine which is rugged in construction, capable of high speed operation and which is economical of manufacture and use.

Other objects and features of novelty of my invention will be either specifically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for a better understanding of my invention, to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view, in elevation, of a machine embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view, with a part in section, of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 as viewed from the line 2-4 thereof Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3, taken on the line 4-4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly made in section of one of the bell cranks illustrated in the structure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5, with the supporting element in section;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3 taken on the line 1-1 thereof;

Fig. 8 is a dlagrammatical view of the bell cranks illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, showing their positions when operating to form wire into sinuous springs;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view oi the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line 9-9 thereof;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 as viewed from the line ill-l0 thereof;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged broken view of the coiling device mounted on the rear face of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a side view in elevation of the strucsame Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 14, taken on the line li-ll thereof Fig. 1'7 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 14 taken on the line |1-|| thereof; and

Fig. 18 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 11 taken on the line |l|3 thereof.

The machine for forming, coiling and severing the sinuous springs embodies a standard 23 having a housing 2| thereon, in which the wire forming elements are mounted. The housing 2| comprises three parts, a bottom section 22, a central section 23, and a cover 24. Flanges 25 are provided on the two sections and cover to provide means by which the sections are joined together by a plurality of bolts 23. On the left hand end of the standard 20, as viewed in Fig. 2, a coiling device 29 and a cut-oil mechanism 21 is mounted. The sinuously formed spring strip 23 is passed through the coiling device 23 to provide a. set in the strip on an arc of small diameter, after which the strip passes through the cut-oil mechanism 21 where it is cut into sections with the ends formed into desired shape.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the housing 2| has a pair of spaced, vertical shafts 3|, to which hubs or circular plates 32 are secured in driving relation. Each plate is provided with a plurality of bell cranks 33 having a stud 34 thereon which are iournalled in the plates 32 near the peripheral edge thereof. The bell cranks 33 and plates 32 are illustrated more clearly in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. One arm 35 of the bell cranks 33 is provided with a bearing roller 36 which operates in a cam slot 31 in a cam plate 33. An arm 39, mounted at right angles to the arm 35 of the bell crank 33, is provided with a pin Ii about which the wire is bent.

The plates 32 are mounted in different horizontal planes with the bell cranks 33 of one plate mounted in reverse or up-side down relation to those on the other plate. Similarly, the cam plates 33 are mounted in the reverse relation, one having the cam slot 31 presenting upwardly the other having the cam slot ting down wardly-the position of the plates 32 on their respective shafts being such as to permit the wire to be formed to pass between the arms 33 of the respective plates. In the space thus provided the pins ll oi the arm 33 extend to neaseand form thewireintosinuousshapeasitis The spacing of the shafts '3! from each other is such as to permit the arms to extend into the space therebetween in overlappin relation to have the pins 4|, disposed about each shaft, move beyond the centerllno between the'shafts. This is clearly illustrated in the central portion of the structure shown in Fig. 4. The pins alternate y advance and form the wire. bending it iirst toward one shaft. then toward the other into sinuous form.

Referring to Fig. 3, I have illustrated the shape of the cam slots 31 and the position of the bell cranks 33 diagrammatically. The rollers 36 on the ends of the bell cranks 33 follow the cam slots 31 as the plates 32 rotate with the driven shafts 3|. A wire is drawn through a tube 33 to a position between the arms 33 on the two plates and centrally between the shafts 3|, as illustrated more clearly in Fig. 3. The elements of the forming device on the right of the wire, as viewed in Fig. 8, are indicated in plain numerals and letters while those of the forming device on the left of the wire have primed numerals and letters. It will be noted that pins A and A are moving out of the formed wire during the synchronized rotation of the shafts 3| and 3|. The pins A and A completed the bending of a convolution in the wire. as has also the pin B. The pin C is completing the bending of the wire about the pin B as pin C is deflecting the wire and commencing to bend the wire about the pin C. Pin D is moving toward the wire to next engage and bend the wire about the pin C, while pin D will then follow to bend the wire about the pin D. All of the pins advance in sequence in this manner to engage and form the wire about the pin which prior to that time bent the wire about a preceding pin in the opposite direction.

From Fig. 8 it will be noted that the cam slots 31 have sharp lips 44, about which the rollers 36 must travel when the bell cranks 33 are driven by the plates 32 from the shafts 3|. It will be noted that the arms 35 assume a position substantially tangential to the plates 32 during the rotation of the plates and diihculty was experienced in having the rollers advance in the cam slots 31 about the lip portions ll thereof. To overcome the difflculty I have provided kicker plates 45 having notches 46 therein. which engage and advance the rollers 36 as they approach the lip portions II, to aid in moving the rollers to and around the lip portions. The plates are mounted to rotate on shafts l1 and 41' and are provided with bosses l3 and 43'. Hubs l3 and 43' are mounted on the shafts 41 and 41' in driving relation thereto having lugs 5i and 5| respectively, provided thereon, which lugs are interconnected by coil springs 52 and 52' to the bosses l3 and 43' of the plates. The notched plates 45 and 45' engage the ends of the rollers 33 and 35' respectively as they advance in the cam track 31 and force the rollers beyond the lips 44 of the cam slots. The shaft 3| is driven through a worm wheel 34 by a worm mounted on a shaft 53 containing pulleys 51 which are driven by a motor 53 through belts 53. The shaft 3| is connected in driving relation with the shaft 3| by a pair of gears BI and i2 keyed above set forth. the four shafts 3|,3l', l! and 1,

are driven in synchronism.

The sinous spring strip formed in the device so far described next passes into the coiling device 29, illustrated in Figs. 2, 11 and 12, wherein the strip is given a set on an arc of predetermined curvature. The strip is conducted in a trough 10 about a sprocket H, the teeth 12 of which engage the convolutlons of the strip to progressively advance the strip through the device. A pair of belts i3, of the link type. have their back faces disposed about the plane hubs on each side of the teeth 12 of the sprocket II. The front teeth of the belts are in sales engagement with the teeth of the sprockets 19. I9 and 19, and are driven by the sprocket 19. A shaft 11 carrying the sprocket H has a gear 19 keyed thereto in mesh with a gear 19 on a shaft 9I carrying the sprocket 19. A sprocket 92 on the shaft 11 is driven by a chain 99 from a sprocket 99 on the shaft 99. A second sprocket 99 on the shaft 99 is driven by a chain 99 from a sprocket 99 on a shaft 91. The shaft 91 is driven from the shaft 99 in a manner to be explained hereinafter. The shaft 89, carrying the sprocket 19, has its end journaled in slides 99 which are adjustable by screws 9Ia for tensioning the belts 99 about the sprocket II.

The tension on the belts is regulated in this manner to cause the sinuous formed spring to closely follow the radius of the sprocket 12 as it is advanced thereabout and to become set on a radius slightly larger than that of the sprocket. After passing the sprocket 1| the sinuous spring is advanced into the cut-off and end-forming device 21 where it is cut in sections of predetermined length and where the ends of the section so out are bent at an angle to the severed end wires.

The cut-ofl and end-forming mechanism 21 operates in a similar manner to that of thelabove described co-pending application. The shaft 99 drives through a coupling 9| a helical gear 92 having the teeth thereof disposed at a 45 angle. The gear 92 drives a similar helical gear 92 disposed at right angles thereto for driving a vertical shaft 99 in rotation. The upper end of the shaft 99 carries a worm 99 which operates a worm wheel 99 for driving a sleeve 91 in rotation. The sleeve 91 has a fly-wheel 99 secured to the end projecting outside of a casing 99 which enclosesthe worm 99, worm wheel 99 and other mechanism. A ratchet wheel I9I is secured to the sleeve 91 in driving relation therewith. A shaft I92 extends through and is bearinged within the sleeve 91 and is keyed to a drum I93 having a diameter substantially the same as that of the ratchet wheel III. The opposite end of the shaft I92 is journaled in a bearing I99 and has a head I99 outward of the bearing from which a stud I99 projects in off-center relation to the center of the shaft.

A connecting rod I91 is supported on the stud I99 and is pivotally secured to a slide I99 which operates in dovetails I99. The drum I93 has a plunger I I I therein which is urged outwardly toward the ratchet wheel I 9| by a spring III. A cam project-ion H3 extends beyond the surface of the drum I99 and is engageable by a cam surface II9 on a finger H5. The finger III is carried on a shaft I I8 which is operated by an arm II1 through a link I I9 connected to a lever I I9 which is pivoted at I2I exterior of the casing 99. When the finger I I is raised, due to the counterclockwise movement of the shaft 9, the cam projection II 3 is disengaged from the surface II9 permitting the plunger III to move beyond the end of the drum I93 under the bias of the spring III.

The plunger projects into a recess I 29 in the ratchet wheel MI and provides a driving connection between the drum I99 and the ratchet wheel. In this manner, at a predetermined point in the operation of the machine, a drive connection is provided from the worm 95 and worm wheel 99 to rotate the head I99 and operate the connecting rod I91 to move the slide I99 in reciprocation. The raising and releasing of the finger II! is instantaneous so that it immediately returns to its 6 initial position to intercept the cam projection III to retract the plunger III at the end of a single revolution of the drum I99 to thereby disconnect the drum from the ratchet wheel IIII after producing a single reciprocation of the slide I99.

For operating the lever I I9, I have provided an index wheel I29 having a sharp index finger I29 thereon. The end I29 of the lever H9 is disposed in the path of the finger I29 which operates the lever I I9 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot I2I. This movement of the lever II9 moves the link II9 downwardly and rotates the arm I", the shaft III and the finger III in a counterclockwise direction. The end I29 of the lever I I9 immediately passes over the index finger I29 and the lever II9, link III, arm II1, shaft H9, and the finger III quickly return to their original positions under the bias of the spring I29.

The index plate I29 is driven by a changeable gear I21 which is secured to a stud I29 to which the plate I29 is keyed. The gear I21 is driven from a gear I29 and a pinion Ill, the latter of which is keyed to the shaft 91. The gear I29 is pivotally mounted on a sector I99 which may be swung about the shaft 91 to permit the gear I29 to be moved from and toward the gear I21 while maintaining meshed relation with the gear III. The sector I99 is provided with a slot I29 through which a bolt I91 extends for clamping the sector in desired position. By this means. the gear I21 may be removed and a larger or smaller gear mounted on the stud I29 in mesh with the gear I29. By changing the gear I21, the length of the section of spring out from the sinuous strip 29 may be adjusted.

The spring is fed from the coiling device 29 through a trough I99 to a sprocket I. The sprocket I is mounted on a stub shaft I92 having a collar I99 on its Inner end. The shaft 91 has its inner end bearinged in the collar I92 of the shaft I92, and its outer end extending through the easing 99 for supporting the sprocket 99 and pinion I9I. A drive connection is provided between the shaft 91 and stub shaft I92 through a spring I91 disposed about the shaft 91. A pin I99 in the shaft 91 projects into a sector slot I99 of the collar I99 to limit the degree of movement therebetween. The shaft 91 has a worm wheel I99 mounted thereon in driving relation thereto. The worm wheel I99 is driven by a worm, similar to the worm 95. mounted on the lower portion of the shaft 99 so that the worm wheel I99 is driven in synchronism with. the worm wheel 99. The worm wheel I99 has a worm wheel I99 thereon engaged by a worm I9I journaled ina casting I92 in which one end of the spring I91 is secured. Through adjustment of the worm III about its wheel I99 any amount of tension in the spring I91 may be provided. The opposite end I99 of the spring I91 is secured in the collar I92 and the tension in the spring retains the pin I99 against that side of the slot I99 opposite to the direction of rotation of the collar I99.

when the slide I99 is moved downwardly the advancement of the sinuous spring about the sprocket I is preferably arrested and this may occur due to the holding force of the wire acting against the teeth of the sprocket I9I for pre- 10 venting rotation of the collar I99 without interrupting the continued rotation of the worm wheel I99. The shaft 91 will continue to rotate further tensioning the spring I91 and moving the pin I95 in the slot I99 in the collar I99. Immediately 7 upon the release of the sprocket I, the sprocket 7. and collar I" will be rotated forwardly by the spring until the pin III is again in its original position against the side of the slot I46.

Referring to Figs. 10, 14, 15, 18 and 17, I have illustrated the stationary and movable cutting and forming dies I66 and I64 respectively, which cuts a section out of a convolution of the wire strip and bends the remaining ends of the convolution at an angle. By bending the ends in this manner, holding clips employed on the ends for anchoring the ends on a frame will be locked on the ends by the bent portions. The stationary dies I63 shown in plan view in Fig. 14 embody a base plate I66 secured to a supporting plate I56 which is attached to a base I61 of the cut-ofl and endforming device 21. A slot I68 is provided in the base plate I66 in which stripper bars I69 are disposed, having an outwardly projecting lip I6I forming a passage I62 through which the spring strip is fed by the sprocket wheel III.

The strip I59 on the right of the base plate I55. as viewed in Fig. 11, has a cut-out portion I62 for receiving the shearing blade I64 of the movable die I54. An aperture 56 in extension of the opening it! is provided in the plate in the shape of the cutting and bending die for receiving and guiding the die during its downward movement. A hardened plate I66 is mounted on the base plate I65 to cooperate with the hardened blade I64 for effecting the shearing operation. The plate I66 is made of extremely hard material to withstand the cutting operation and may be renewed when worn without the necessity of renewing the plate I65. The stripper bar I59 on the right of the plate, as viewed in Fig. 17, is adjustable laterally to regulate the width of the space I62 through which the strip is advanced to conform to the width of the strip produced by pins 4I of the bell cranks 33. By changing the size of the pins the width of the wire produced may be regulated. The plate I65 is also provided with apertures I61 and I66 for receiving anvils about which the wire is bent. Another aperture I69 is provided rearwardly of the apertures I61 and I6! employed for receiving projections on the anvils and cutting die, which functions to retain the portion of the wires opposite from the end from which a section is cut from moving laterally during the bending operation.

The movable portion I54 of the cutting and bending die embodies a central element having the blade I64, the body I", and the laterally extending downwardly converging wings I12 which produce the outward deflection of the wire during the downward movement of the die to efiect the bending. The die is also provided with a rearwardly spaced lug I13 of a width substantially that of the body portion I1I.

Laterally of the body portion, anvils I14 and I16 are provided which are also downwardly converging as illustrated in Fig. 10. Rearwardly of the anvil portions I14 and I16, lugs I16 are disposed aligned with the lug I13 of the body portion Ill. The anvils I14 and I15 are spaced laterally from the body portion "I a suflicient distance to receive the wire from which the strip is constructed. The lateral spacing of the lugs I16 from the central lug I13 converges upwardly for holding the rear portion of the wires therebetween during the bending operation.

when the slide I66 is moved downwardly the adjacent wires of a convolution of the strip are engaged between the ends of the anvils I14 and I16 and theend I11 of the wings I12 in the spaces I18 provided therebetween. as illustrated in Fig.

7 preferably heated in an oven to 10. The wires are also disposed In the spaces between the lug I13 and lugs I16. As the slide moves downwardly the cut-oil mechanism I64 severs a section from the convolution held in this manner and through the further downward movement, the wings I12 bend the severed ends I18 laterally about the anvils I14 and I16 to provide a permanent set and deflection to the ends. During the bending operation, the rear portions of the adjacent wires are held against lateral movement between the lugs I16 and the central lug I13. In this manner, through the single downward movement of the slide, a section of the spring strip is severed and the severed ends are bent at an angle. The bent ends prevent the end wires of the sections from slipping from cleats which are employed for retaining the sections on a frame. By selecting the proper diameter of the gear I21 the length of section severed from the strip is adjusted so that any desired length of strip may be severed during the continued operation of the machine.

The machine herein illustrated and described operates to bend a wire first in one direction and then in the other to progressively form a sinuous spring strip of continuous length. The strip is advanced through a coiling roll to provide a set on a predetermined diameter so that a section of the spring assumes the shape of a circle or a portion thereof. The strip passes from the coiling roll to the cut-off and endforming dies through which it is advanced in timed relation to have a section cut therefrom of predetermined length. The length of the section may be changed through changing the diameter of a driving gear. The severing of the section and the bending of the severed ends are effected through a single downward movement of a slide by dies which engage the adjacent wires of a convolution. A section is first cut from the curved end portion after which, upon the further downward movement of the movable die, the two remaining ends of the portion are bent laterally about the adjacent die anvils. The machine has the parts thereof so constructed as to permit ihpid operation and a maximum production.

As the wire passes through the machine, the pins H are so disposed and moved to bend the wire beyond parallel relation, as illustrated by the section disposed about pin B of Fig. 8. When released, the convolutions tend to spread, but not to as great a degree as occurs when the wire is bent to less than parallel relation. A more resilient spring strip is provided in this manner,

and one which lends itself readily to stretch ng to a desired size. Referring to Fig. 18, I have illustrated the sprocket wheel 80 as being rotatable relative to the shaft 64. The wheel is secured in driving relation to the shaft 84 by the hub I62 through a slot and bolt connection I85. By adjusting the sprocket relative to the hub, the chain 63 is advanced to turn the sprocket 14 and 12 to thereby stretch the spring strip to provide a slight elongation thereto resulting in a change in the length of the sections cut from the strip. Through the shifting of the sprocket 60 relative to the hub I82, the proper length of section is obtained. After the sections are formed in the manner above set forth, they are have the wire thereof normalized.

While I have illustrated and described but a single embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various 76 changes. omissions, additions, and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for bending wire into sinuous form, of a pair oi spaced parallel spindles, means for driving said spindles in rotation. hubs on said spindles, bell cranks pivoted on said hubs, a cam associated with each of said spindles engaging one of the arms of the bell cranks for controlling the position of the other arm thereof, the other of said arms of the bell cranks passing between said spindles alternately from each hub to project beyond the center therebetween to sinuously form wire which is progressively advanced as the spindles rotate.

2. A machine for bending wire into sinuous form, embodying a plurality of bell cranks rotated about spaced centers, cams for engaging one arm of the bell crank for controlling the position of the other arm, said other arm advancing alternately between and beyond the medial line between said centers for forming the wire as it is drawn therebetween.

3. A machine for bending wire into sinuous form. embodying a plurality of bell cranks rotated about spaced centers, cams for engaging one arm of the bell cranks for controlling the posit on of the other arm thereof, said other arms advancing alternately between and be ond the medial line between said centers for forming the wire as it is drawn therebetween, and additional means onerat ng in svnchronism with the cams for en agin and movin the bell crank arm.

4. A machine for ben ing wire into sinuous form embodying a plur lity of bell cranks rotated about spaced centers, cams for engaging one arm of the bell crank for controlling the pos't'nn of the ot er arm. said other arm advanein alt rn tely between and hevond the medi line bet een said centers for forming the wire as it is dr wn t er e ween. a c t-off and en or in mec anism throu h which sad sinuon v o d ire n s e and means or operating said r t-on and end-forming mechanism periodi s l or cuttin a d for ed w re into sections and ben in the ends th reof into d si ed shape.

5. A ma ne for bending wire into sinuous form embodying a plurality of hell cranks rotated about spaced centers. cams for en aging one arm of t e bell crank for controlling the position o the otber arm, said other arm advancing al ernatelv be ween and beyond the medial line betwe n s id centers for forming the wire as it is dra n t erebetween. a cut-oil and end-form ng mechanism through which said sinuously formed wi e passes. means for operating said cut-oi! endforming mechanism periodically for cutting said formed wire into sections and bending the ends thereof into desired shape, and means for adjusting said cutt ng and end-forming mechanism for regulating the length of section severed thereby.

6. In a machine for bending wire into a sinuous form, including in combination, a plurality of bell cranks revolvable about spaced centers, cams for engaging one arm of the bell cranks for controlling the position of the other arm thereof as the cranks revolve to move the last said arms alternately between and beyond the medial line between said centers, and projections on the last said arms which have the dual function of moving the wire about the projection pin of an adjacent arm and then remaining sub- 10 stantially stationary as the projection of another arm bends the wire thereabout.

7, A machine for bending a wire into sinuous form, including, in combination, a plurality of arms movable across a medial line disposed therebetween, projections carried by said arms which function to bend the wire about a projection of an adjacent arm and which thereafter is available to have the wire bent thereabout by a projection of a following arm to thereby sinuously form the wire.

8. A machine for bending a wire into sinuous form, including, in combination, a plurality of arms movable across a medial line disposed therebetween, projections carried by said arms which function to bend the wire about a projection of an adjacent arm and which thereafter is available to have the wire bent thereabout by a projection of a following arm to thereby sinuously form the wire, said wire being bent around a projection to a degree to have the adjacent sides of a conv0lu tion move beyond parallel relation to each other.

9. In a machine for bending wire into sinuous form, a device in said machine for rolling said sinuously formed wire to provide a set therein on an arc of predetermined diameter including a sprocket for engaging said formed wire, a second sprocket for engaging said formed wire spaced from said first sprocket and driven in timed relation thereto, and means for relativel adjusting said sprockets whereby said formed wire may be stretched between said sprockets to provide a predetermined number of convolutions within a desired length.

10. In a machine for bending wire into sinuous form, a device in said machine for rollin said sinuously formed wire to provide a set therein on an arc of predetermined diameter, means for severing said sinuously formed wire into sections, a sprocket engaging said formed wire driven in timed relation to said severing means, a sprocket on said rolling device for engaging said formed wire driven in timed relation to said first sprocket, and means for relatively adjusting sa d sprockets for stretching said formed wire between said sprockets a desired amount to produce a required length to said section.

11. In a machine for dividing sinuously formed wire into sections and bending the ends thereof, the combination of a die set comprising a pair of relatively movable die members for receiving sinuously formed wire and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends of each section, one member of said die set having fixed thereon a projecting cutting blade, projecting wire bending means fixed on said one member and engageable with the adjacent ends of both sections of the formed wire, the other member of said d e set having a cutting edge for cooperating with the projecting cutting blade. and anvil members carried by said die set for holding said wire sections adjacent their ends during the operation of said bending means.

12. In a machine for dividing sinuously formed wire into sections and bending the ends thereof, the combination of a die set comprising a pair of relatively movable die members for receiving sinuously formed wire and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends of each section, one member of said die set having fixed thereon a projecting cutting blade, projecting a wire bending means fixed on said one member and engageable between the straight wire sections at the adjacent ends oi both sections of the formed wire, the other member of said die set having a cuttim edge for cooperating with the projecting cutting blade. and anvil members carried by said one die member for engaging the opposite sides of said straight wire sections and holding the same against movement in the plane of the formed wire during the operation of said bending means.

18. In a machine for producing sinuously i'or'med wire and cutting it into sections, the combination of means for continuously bending wire into sinuous form and discharging the formed wire, a die set comprising a pair of relatively movable die members for receiving said sinuously iormed wire discharged by said means and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends of each section, one member of said die set having fixed thereon a projecting cutting blade, projecting wire bending means fixed on said one member and engageable with the adjacent ends 01' both sections of the formed wire, the other member of said die set having a cutting edge for cooperating with the projecting cutting blade. anvil members carried by said die set for holding said wire sections adjacent their ends during the operation of said bending means, and means for operating said first mentioned means and said die members in timed relation 14. In a machine for producing sinuously iormed wire and cutting it into sections, the combination of means for continuously bending wire into sinuous form with a plurality of straight transverse sections connected at their ends by arcuate sections and discharging the formed wire, a die set comprising a pair 01 relatively movable die members for receiving said sinuously formed wire discharged by said means and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends oi each section, one member of said die set having fixed thereon a projecting cutting blade, projecting wire bending means fixed on said one member and engageable between the straight wire sections at the adjacent ends 01' both sections of the formed wire, the other member of said die set having a cutting edge for cooperating with the projecting cutting blade, anvil members carried by said one die member for engaging the opposite sides oi said straight wire sections and holding the same against movement in the plane of the formed wire during the operation of said bending means,'and means for operating said first mentioned means and said die members in timed relation.

15. In a machine for dividing sinuously formed wire into sections and bending the ends thereol, the combination of means including a roller for receiving the sinuously formed wire and rolling said iormed wire longitudinally to provide a set therein on an arc of predetermined diameter and discharging the rolled wire, a die set comprising a pair of relatively movable die members for receiving the sinuously formed wire discharged by said means and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends of each section, one member oi said die set having and thereon a projecting cutting blade. projecting wire bending means fixed on said one member and engageable with the adjacent ends oi both sections of the formed wire, the other member 01' said die set having a cutting edge i'or cooperating with the projecting cutting blade, and anvil members carried by said die set for holding said wire sections adjacent 12 their ends during the operation or said bending means, and means for operating said first means and said die set in timed relation.

16. In a machine for dividin sinuously formed wire into sections and bending the ends thereof, the combination of means including a roller for receiving the sinuously iormed wire and rolling said formed wire longitudinally to provide a set therein on an arc of predetermined diameter and discharging the rolled wire, a die set comprising a pair of relatively movable die members ior receiving the sinuously formed wire discharged by said means and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends of each section, one member of said die set having fixed thereon a projecting cutting blade, projecting wire bending means fixed on said one member and engageable between the straight wire sections at the adjacent ends or both sections of the formed wire, the other member oi said die set having a cutting edge for cooperating with the projecting cutting blade, and anvil members carried by said one die member for engaging the opposite sides 0! said straight wire sections and holding the same against movement in the plane of the formed wire during the operation of said bending means, and means tor operating said first means and said die set in timed relation.

17. In a machine for producing sinuously formed wire and cutting it into sections, the combination of means for continuously bending wire into sinuous form and discharging the formed wire, means including a roller for receiving the sinuously formed wire discharged by said means and rolling said formed wire longitudinally to provide a set therein on an are of predetermined diameter and discharging the rolled wire, a die set comprising a pair of relatively movable die members for receiving said sinuously formed wire discharged by said rolling means and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends of each section. one member of said die set having fixed thereon a projecting cutting blade, projecting wire bending means fixed on said one member and engageable with the adjacent ends of both sections oi the-formed wire, the other member of said die set having a cutting edge for cooperating with the projecting cutting blade, anvil members carried by said die set for holding said wire sections adjacent their ends during the operation of said bending means, and means for operating said first mentioned means, said rolling means and said die members in timed relation.

18. In a machine for producing sinuously formed wire and cutting it into sections, the combination of means for continuously bending wire into sinuous form with a plurality of straight transverse sections connected at their ends by arcuate sections and discharging the formed wire, means including a roller for receiving the sinuously formed wire discharged by said means and rolling said formed wire longitudinally to provide a set therein on an arc of predetermined diameter and discharging the rolled wire, a die set comprising a pair oi relatively movable die members for receiving said sinuously formed wire discharged by said rolling means and in a single operation severing the same into sections and laterally bending the adjacent ends of each section, one member of said die set having fixed thereon a projecting cutting blade, a wire bending projection means fixed on said one member and engageable between the straight wire sec- 13 tions at the adjacent ends of both sections of the formed wire, the other member oi said die set having a cutting edge for cooperating with the projecting cutting blade, anvil members carried by said one die member for engaging the opposite sides of said straight wire sections and holding the same against movement in the plane of the formed wire during the operation of said bending projection. and means for operating said first mentioned means, said rolling means and said die members in timed relation.

19. In a machine for severing sinuously formed wire of the class described into sections oi predetermined length and in the same operation laterally bending the adjacent severed ends of the wire, the combination of relatively movable die members, a wire cutting projection on one die member, wire bending projections on said one die member for engaging opposite sides of each of the adjacent severed ends of said wire and bending the same laterally, a cutting edge on the other die member for cooperating with said wire cutting projection for severing a section from the sinuously formed wire, said other die member having guide openings for receiving and guiding said wire bending projections and having a surface for supporting said wire during said cutting and bending operation.

20. In a machine for severing sinuously formed wire of the class described into sections of predetermined length and in the same operation laterally bending the adjacent severed ends of the wire, the combination of relatively movable die members, a wire cutting projection on one die member, wire bending projections on said one die member for engaging opposite sides of each of the adjacent severed ends of said wire and bending the same laterally, a cutting edge on the other die member for cooperating with said wire cutting projection for severing a section from the sinuously formed wire, said other die member having guide openings for receiving and guiding said wire bending projections and having a surface for supporting said wire during said cutting and bending opera tion, and coordinately operated and timed means for feeding said sinuously formed wire to said die members and for controlling the intermittent movement of said die members relative to each other to perform said cutting and bending operation after a predetermined length of the sinuously formed wire has been fed past said die members.

21. In a machine for severing sinuously formed wire of the class described into sections of predetermined length and in the same operation laterally bending the adjacent severed ends of the wire. the combination of relatively movable die members, a wire cutting projection on one of said members, wire bending projections on said one die member for engaging opposite sides of each of the adjacent severed ends of said wire, said projections embodying oppositely acting wedge portions which pass between the severed ends and bend the ends laterally about the projecting portions on the outer sides of the wire ends during the relative movement of the die members, a cutting edge on the other die member for cooperating with said wire cutting projection for severing a section from the sinuously formed wire, said other die member having guide openings for receiving and guiding said wire bending projections and having a surface for supporting said wire during said cutting and bending operation.

22. In a machine of the class described for continuously bending wire into sinuous form,

the combination of intermittently actuated relatively movable die members operated and controlled in timed relation by and with the bending machine for receiving said sinuously formed wire and in each operation severing a section or predetermined length from the same and laterally bending the adjacent severed ends of the wire, a wire cutting projection on the movable die member, wire bending projections on said movable die member for engaging opposite sides of each of the adjacent severed ends and bending the same laterally, and a cutting edge on the stationary die member cooperating with the wire cutting projection for severing a section from the sinuously formed wire.

23. In a machine of the class described for continuously bending wire into sinuous form, the combination of intermittently actuated relatively movable die members operated and controlled in timed relation by and with the bending machine for receiving said sinuously formed wire and in each operation severing a section of predetermined length from the same and laterally bending the adjacent severed ends of the wire, a wire cutting projection on the movable die member, wire bending projections on said movable die member for engaging opposite sides of each of the adjacent severed ends and bending the same laterally, and a cutting edge on the stationary die member cooperating with the wire cutting projections for severing a section from the sinuously formed wire, said stationary die member having guide openings for receiving and guiding said wire bending projections and having a surface for supporting said wire during said cutting and bending operation.

24. In a machine of the class described for continuously bending wire into sinuous form, the comb nation of intermittently actuated relatively movable die members operated and controlled in timed relation by and with the bending machine for receiving said sinuously formed wire and in each operation severing a section of predetermined length from the same and laterally bending th adjacent severed ends of the wire, a wire cutting projection on the movable die member, wire bending projections on said movable die member for engaging opposite sides of each of the adjacent severed ends and bending the same laterally. and a cutting edge on the stationary die member cooperating with the wire cutting projections for severing a section from the sinuously formed wire, said stationary die member having guide openings for receiving and guiding said wire bending projections and having a surface for supporting said wire during said cutting and bending operation and having retaining channels on oppos te sides thereof for guiding and retaining said sinuously formed wire during the movement tberethrough and the engagement with said cutting and bending projections.

FRANK J. HORTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the die of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 261.977 Adt Aug. 1, 1882 365,121 Doolittle June 21, 1837 (Other references on following page) 18 Name Date Bold July 21, 1891 K093 Dec. 27, 1892 Martin May 30, 1899 Canfleld Jan. 9, 1900 McBride June 5, 1900 Willaon Jan. 6, 1903 wfllmorth A118. 1, 1911 Gibbs Mar. 14, 1918 Vincent Aug. 19, 1919 Montelth Aug. 16, 1921 Wine Feb. 19, 1924 Number Number 10 21,979 275,319

Name Dnte with: Oct. 27, 1925 Barton July 25, 1933 Kaden May 21, 1935 Blount June 29, 1937 Horton Jan. 30, 1940 FOREIGN PA'I'ENTS Country Date Great Britain Dec. 1, 1892 Germany June 13, 1914 Certificate of Correction Reissue No. 23,169 November 22, 1949 FRANK J. HORTON It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 1, line 21, for performing read preforming; column 10, line 73, before the Word wire strike out a; column l2, line 74, before fixed" strike out means";

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the some may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of March, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'asimwr of Patents. 

